Comets Prepping For Comeback Season

by Rick Pendergraft

Bishop Kelley has made the playoffs for the last 15 seasons, but despite reaching the post-season last year the Comets were not happy with their 6-5 mark. Many of the guys took a long hard look in the mirror and have comeback with a new humble attitude. "We can't really play like we did last year." said Bishop Kelley Senior Defensive Back, Hunter Hughes, "We thought we were good and it turned out to be a pretty bad season. We've got to play more like a team and I've got to step up as a leader more. I think that's what we have to do instead of last year and I think we have a pretty good chance to make a run to the playoffs this year."In this age of high flying spread offenses Coach J.J. Tappana says they're going a little old school."It's going to look like we're a running team." said Bishop Kelley head Football Coach J.J. Tappana, "We want to run the football and control the clock. We're going to go back and do something really strange and put our hand underneath the center and sometimes we're just going to hand it off."It's hard to blame him for going in that direction. The Comets return a very elusive quarterback in three year starter Ryan Martin and they have two big tailbacks in juniors Jake Percy and Jack Woolslayer. "I think they're both about 6'2 and weigh I lot more than I do." said Hughes, "I don't like tackling them. I play safety so no one else is going to like tackling them either."

"I'm kind of a duel threat." said Bishop Kelley Senior Quarterback, Ryan Martin, "I can throw the ball pretty well and then I can run. I've always been kind of fast. It's something that has always stuck with me."

On defense, the Comets are very young. They only have four returning starters from a year ago. But they have good experience at the crucial position of linebacker. "We're excited about both of them, it's a sophomore and a junior." said Tappana, "The sophomore is about as good as we've had at this age. The junior we're excited to see something come out of him, Phillip Scott and Matt Smith. We've got three secondary guys returning and replace some defensive lineman, but we'll see. You know it's unproven right now. But we're undefeated and we're having a good practice and our kids are excited to be here."The Comets will not be lacking in exciting games, District 5A-3 might just be the toughest district in the state this season. Almost every team is ranked in Class 5A.